Huntington Highlanders Gaining Confidence

Oct 21, 2007

By JASON McCLURE

HUNTINGTON HIGH SOCCER: After Huntington High's stunning win over Huntington St. Joe in the Region IV Section 3 boys final , the Highlanders will once again be underdogs against Parkersburg in the regional semifinal.

The Highlanders will face the Big Reds at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Parkersburg. Girls will be featured in the 5:30 p.m. game, with Cabell Midland also taking on Parkersburg.

Parkersburg's boys come into the matchup ranked No.3 in the state and 8-2-2. The Big Reds handled Huntington, 7-1, in the Highlanders third game of the season.

But Huntington coach Jeff Kepler keeps reiterating that his team is not the same group of players that were dominated earlier in the season by both Huntington St. Joe and Parkersburg.

"We're an improved team from what Parkersburg saw in the third game of the season," Kepler said. "The St. Joe win gave us confidence and showed we can compete with the top teams in the state."

If Huntington continues its inspired play in the postseason by defeating Parkersburg, the Highlanders would return to their home field to play in the regional finals.